Bobcat Wrestlers 1-3 at 2014 Jersey City Duals (01/21/14) Hockins, Gunter, and Troutman with Multiple Wins

on 6 February, 2014 at 21:15

(By Kenn Staub)

On Saturday, January 19th the Bobcat varsity wrestlers participated in the eleven team Jersey Shore Duals. The Clarion grapplers were 1-3 on the day, facing squads from Muncy, Tunkhannock, Wallenpaupak, and Wyoming Valley West. Junior Addison Hockins, wrestling in two weight classes (160lbs. & 170lbs.), led the Bobcats with three victories, while senior Riley Gunter (145lbs.) and junior Jacob Troutman (152lbs. & 160lbs.), each collected two wins on the mat.

Clarion began the tournament with a match against Muncy (AA), falling to the Indians 47-21. Highlights for the Bobcats included a 3-2 decision by sophomore Caleb Bailey (113lbs.), over freshman Jesus Aguilar, Gunter’s 6-3 victory against sophomore Cam Good, and a 7-3 win by Hockins (160lbs.) over sophomore Junior Ramos. Sophomore Prince Brooks (138lbs.) also turned in a noteworthy performance for the Cats, coming from behind to tie his bout against sophomore Austin Orr during the third period, subsequently losing by takedown in overtime. Sophomores Austin Holz (170lbs.) and Zack Sintobin (220lbs.) received forfeits for Clarion.

Next up for Clarion was the team from Wyoming Valley West (AAA). The Spartans, who featured eight returning 2013 District 2 place winners in their line-up, handed the Bobcats a 68-6 loss. Bobcat sophomore Alexander Burkhart (195lbs.) received a forfeit.

(Photos by Kenn Staub)
Alexander Burkhart (195lbs.) spins around to counter his opponent’s takedown attempt

Clarion rebounded from their match against Wyoming Valley West with a strong showing versus Wallenpaupak (AAA). The Buckhorns would prevail 33-27, though only after having to win the last bout of the contest to do so.

During this match Troutman (152lbs.) would supply Clarion’s first pin of the day, transitioning from a throw into a pinning combination to stick Wallenpaupak senior Chad Sives 17 seconds into their bout.

Senior Tristan Shaffer (126lbs.), Hockins (160lbs.), and sophomore Leo Aiello (132lbs.) all tallied major decisions for the Bobcats. Shaffer put in a dominating performance against sophomore Cesar Gonzalez, leading from start to finish, in an 11-2 victory. Aiello scored eight points in the first period against senior Ryan Eggar on his way to a 12-3 victory and first contested win of 2013-2014 campaign. An offensive-minded Hockins, demonstrating adeptness with the double legged takedown, earned an 18-5 victory over sophomore Brandon Rodriguez.

Leo Aiello (132lbs.) locks in a cradle

Bobcat sophomore Adrian Weber (120lbs.) also secured his first contested win of the season against the Buckhorns, triumphing in a 5-4 nailbiter over junior Andrew Demchuk. Clarion’s Alex Struble (106lbs.) decisioned fellow sophomore Zachary Krial 5-1 and Gunter earned his second win of the day, shutting out sophomore Isaiah Rios 4-0.
The Bobcats emerged victorious in their final match of the tournament, defeating the Tunkhannock Tigers (AAA) 39-31. Clarion’s team victory was highlighted by three individual wins via pinfall. Brooks won his first match of the season when, trailing 7-3 in the second period, he stuck sophomore Mike Manley. Troutman, wrestling up at 160lbs., scored his second consecutive victory of the day, pinning sophomore Zack Greenip in under a minute (0:43). Sophomore Zack Huet (HWT) took slightly longer than Troutman in his triumph, recording a first period pin of sophomore Prevost, in 48 seconds.

Hockins, jumping up to the 170lb. weight class, capped off his day with a 14-7 major decision over sophomore Jarod Bernosky. Like in the match against Wallenpaupak’s Rodriguez, Hockins put on a takedown clinic, notching seven in the bout. Sophomores Allan Barrett (152lbs.), Burkhart, and Sintobin received forfeits for Clarion.

Clarion’s varsity team travels to Punxsutawney Tuesday (01/21) and will participate in the Fred Bell Memorial Wrestling Tournament on Friday and Saturday (01/24 and 25) at Grove City High School.

(Thanks to Kenn Staub for this article and photos.)